Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee and Leader of the Opposition Lal Kishenchand Advani on Friday led the Lok Sabha in congratulating veteran Marxist parliamentarian Somnath Chatterjee on his appointment as speaker of the House.

"We are confident that you, with your vast experience, will conduct the proceedings in accordance with highest traditions of democracy," Dr Singh said in the Lower House after he, along with Advani and Mukherjee, guided Chatterjee to the chair.

He promised that the ruling United Progressive Alliance would support him in his endeavour to 'improve the content of debates' in the House, and praised Chatterjee for his 'illustrious career' and his vast contributions in Parliament.

Singh said when he got his bachelor's degree over 50 years ago Chatterjee's father presided over the convocation ceremony.

"Today, when I have taken a new position (as PM), you are in the chair as our guide, friend and philosopher," he said

Mukherjee, in his speech, said while his father was a member of the first Lok Sabha, Chatterjee was in Parliament since 1971 and had now joined 'illustrious predecessors like Vitthalbhai Patel and P G Mavalankar'.

Mukherjee expressed hope that under his leadership parliament will assert its authority over the executive and ensure that 'not a single penny is taken out of the Consolidated Fund of India without the permission of this House'.

"While the opposition and the government can have different ideologies, on some issues, we can speak in one voice," Advani said.

He expressed satisfaction that unlike the last time, the opposition had moved a motion supporting the candidate for the key post. He said the credit for this should go to former prime minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi said Chatterjee's election to the office in a way was reflective of the overriding message of the people, who had rejected the 'politics of divisiveness'.

Describing the CPI-M veteran as a multifaceted personality, she said his parliamentary skills were widely recognised and justly applauded.

Gandhi spoke of Chatterjee's unflinching commitment to liberal values as also his erudition, wit and vast experience.

She promised to extend the 'fullest cooperation' of her party and the United Progressive Alliance both in the House and in the chambers.

Vajpayee said Chatterjee had now risen from being a honourable member to occupy the coveted post.

Vajpayee hoped that Chatterjee would conduct the proceedings in a manner that would ensure that members didn't feel the need to troop into the well of the House to express their grievances.

In his inimitable style, Vajpayee reminded Chatterjee that in his new job he had to speak less. "Though you have been elected from Bolpur, now speaking (bolna) will not do and keeping mum will be the norm," he said in a lighter vein.

Expressing happiness over the unanimous election of Chatterjee, his party colleague Basudeb Acharia praised his efforts in uniting secular forces in the country.

"He took the lead to unite all political parties believing in secularism," Acharia said Chatterjee, he added, always tried to maintain the dignity and decorum of the House.

As Acharia continued, Chatterjee said he would have to start checking members exceeding their time from his own party first, requesting Acharia to restrict his speech.

Chatterjee's election had made history since for the first time a Speaker had been elected unanimously, said Ramgopal Yadav (Samajwadi Party) and Laloo Prasad Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal).

Yadav said it was good especially in an era of coalition politics.

Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati, who too moved a motion proposing Chatterjee for the post, hoped he would give opportunities to smaller parties to put forward their views on issues of national importance.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader in the House, C Kuppuswamy, said Chatterjee would have to bring his long parliamentary experience to raise the standard of debates in the House.

Brij Kishore Tripathy (Biju Janata Dal) and former Kerala chief minister P K Vasudevan Nair (Communist Party of India) said Chatterjee's expertise in interpreting established laws would help in raising the standard of parliamentary democracy.

Nair said times were changing and 'this election has shown that will of the toiling people of the country has emerged triumphant'.

Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar said he was a person who never compromised on respect and national interest.

Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar said he was the person best suited for the post.

S S Dhindsa (Akali Dal) recalled how Chatterjee had stood by Sikhs in 1984 when anti-Sikh riots broke out in the country.

"Just as your party had stood by Sikhs, you will give opportunities to smaller parties in the house."